Pure waters ascend from the melted snow atop the remote mountains. The further downstream it travels, the more the tributaries are consolidated into wide rivers that become increasingly dirty until they are emptied into the sea. In the same manner, doctrines passed from one generation to the next tend to gather pollutants.

Those who drink of the traditions of religion rather than from the source of the pure water risk swallowing the pollutants of religion rather than having a true relationship with God through His pure Word. The water that comes from God must be renewed from the source.

The Lord despises religions conceived by men; not all beliefs are equal, particularly when those who claim to hold the truth espouse fables in the name of God. The Lord knows His children, and His children know Him. They recognize His voice. They do not simply follow traditions and religious observances as a means of achieving righteousness.

Jesus said, “Man does not live by bread alone but by every word of God”—nothing added or omitted. The various false doctrines preached today are akin to the pot of stew put together by the sons of the prophets mentioned in 2 Kings 4:38-41 that contained death. Those who slack in seeking God wholeheartedly may fail to taste the falsehoods inherent in religious traditions and false doctrines that have found their way into the pot. Those brought up in well-established false doctrines often have a tendency to embrace them with a bias.

To remove harm from the pot, every word of God must be accepted; nothing can be refused. As Elisha cast meal into the pot and the harm was removed, we are to read the Bible ourselves and believe every word so that we may recognize the wild gourds that poison the stew today by opposing scripture. Even long-established doctrines are to be questioned in the face of contrary biblical evidence.

When every word of God is embraced, truth is restored, and souls are healed. Rome’s stranglehold was broken in part by the Reformation. However, it was rightly called a reformation, for it was not a full restoration of the True Gospel.

Christianity does not need reformation; it needs restoration. The word of God did not originate from Rome. Any attempt to reform the religion that came out from Rome will bring wild gourds with it. We must completely abandon all institutionalized religion and rely solely on the word of God.

Restoration of the source of faith is essential for knowing the Lord; this means returning to Abraham, the father of faith, and walking in the ways of his descendants who followed in his footsteps. We must look to Jerusalem, the city where God chose to place His name, not Rome.

Those who protested against Rome sought to reform the Church. They would have been better off cutting ties with Rome completely and returning to the faith of Jerusalem and the full Bible instead of trying to reform an inherently corrupt religion. Even now, many Christians still cling to traditions and embrace a reformation rather than a spiritual restoration.

Through reformations, Christianity created a multitude of denominations and divisions. Restoration of the word of God is the only road to revival. For restoration, believers must actively pursue truth and relinquish long-standing doctrinal errors and institutional bonds. The meal of God, the true bread of life, must be cast into the pot to destroy the harmful heresies.

The spring water of Jericho (the “city of palm trees”) was bitter and useless. When Elisha was told, he asked for a new vessel filled with salt; he then cast the salt into the spring and declared God’s healing. Then the waters were made sweet and life-giving; from that day forward, there was no more death or barrenness. The miracle points to God’s power to transform bitter waters through His word, using a new vessel full of salt. Be renewed and have salt within yourself.

Unbiblical teachings and traditions that have been handed down and accepted through old vessels for generations must be replaced with new ones to bring in fullness. Pray earnestly for a complete restoration of the true gospel as it was first received by the saints so that revival may come to the body of Christ and spread the words of salvation throughout the world.